Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Two Royally Good Non-Fiction Books On My Radar

I've had a thing for the royal family since 1982 when Prince William was born.  I've got a collection of beautiful books with fantastic photographs of Princess Diana as well as a variety of other collectibles.  I'm not the collector I once was, but I am excited about two books coming this fall that feature the royal family.

The first book: Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand
Due out: August 11, 2020



Synopsis taken from Amazon:

Here is the first, epic and true story of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s life together, finally revealing why they chose to pursue a more independent path and the reasons behind their unprecedented decision to step away from their royal lives, from two top royal reporters who have been behind the scenes since the couple first met. Finding Freedom is complete with full color photographs from Harry and Meghan’s courtship, wedding, Archie’s milestones, and many more unforgettable moments. 
When news of the budding romance between a beloved English prince and an American actress broke, it captured the world’s attention and sparked an international media frenzy. But while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have continued to make headlines—from their engagement, wedding, and birth of their son Archie to their unprecedented decision to step back from their royal lives—few know the true story of Harry and Meghan.
For the very first time, Finding Freedom goes beyond the headlines to reveal unknown details of Harry and Meghan’s life together, dispelling the many rumors and misconceptions that plague the couple on both sides of the pond. As members of the select group of reporters that cover the British Royal Family and their engagements, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand have witnessed the young couple’s lives as few outsiders can.
With unique access and written with the participation of those closest to the couple, Finding Freedom is an honest, up-close, and disarming portrait of a confident, influential, and forward-thinking couple who are unafraid to break with tradition, determined to create a new path away from the spotlight, and dedicated to building a humanitarian legacy that will make a profound difference in the world.


And the second title:

HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style by Elizabeth Holmes
Due out: November 17, 2020




Synopsis taken from Amazon:

Veteran fashion journalist Elizabeth Holmes expands her popular Instagram Stories series, "So Many Thoughts," into a nuanced look at the style, branding, and positioning of the four most influential contemporary British Royals: Queen Elizabeth II; Diana, Princess of Wales; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

Today, the fashion choices of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are frequently headline news. More than just wearing beautiful clothes ― and they are really beautiful ― these women dress with purpose. Their choices of color, silhouettes, and brands send a message about their values, interests, and place within the royal family. But to fully understand what Kate and Meghan are wearing, one must look to two style icons that came before them: Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales. For nearly seven decades, the Queen has made her wardrobe work for her, settling into a uniform of colorful coats and hats that make her instantly recognizable. Diana unlocked royal fashion’s ability to shock and awe, earning a spot on the front page and rejuvenating interest in the crown. Kate introduced a welcome relatability with her accessible choices, unleashing a shopping frenzy in the process. Meghan, a biracial American and a working actor, brought a new audience and aesthetic, as well as her social media savvy to the mix.

With one section devoted to each woman, HRH pairs hundreds of gorgeous photographs with extensive research to paint a vivid portrait of each woman’s fashion preferences, messaging, and evolution. The sections on each will be a seamless combination of major moments and notable details, from the choice of each woman’s wedding dress designer to the meaning of a single bow tied on a ponytail. But mostly, through these four biographies, a picture emerges of the evolution of the British monarchy over the past century, showing royal fashion is so much more than what meets the eye.

1 comment:

Ti said...

I feel like there is so much we don't know about Harry and Meghan. I think they are dealing with some big issues personally and we may never know about them. Which is fine. They should be able to keep some things private if that is there wish.